Winter is around the corner and so is the dilemma about tires. Should you continue with all season tires or switch to winter tires? To answer this, it is important to understand the basic differences between the two.

All-Season Tires

All season tires serve well for spring, summer, fall and mild winter conditions. They are designed to provide a smooth journey through year-round temperature differences, from hot days in the peak of summer to wet spring weather and light snow in the winters. This also means all season tires are not built to handle extreme winter conditions such as heavy snow or black ice. For moderate climates, all season tires are recommended. But for extreme winters, you may need winter tires for greater safety and a smoother ride.

Winter Tires

Winter can be unpredictable in Ontario. One day you are driving through flurries; the next day you could be deluged in snow or facing black ice. With winter tires, you know your car will weather it all better. They are designed with tough tread rubber, tread depth, unique patterns and biting edges to provide better traction in all kinds of cold topography.

Tread Rubber: Tread rubber allows the tires to remain soft on freezing roads instead of turning stiff, allowing a better grip on black ice and snow. Deeper tread depth and unique patterns repel snow and slush buildup, expel water from tires and provides better traction. The surface of the tires are designed with metal studded holes to provide a firm grip for braking safely on icy roads.

Tread Pattern: Tread pattern is designed to provide smooth resistance when driving through snow and slush so you don’t lose control in slippery conditions.

Biting Edges: Biting edges and high sipe densities are basically thousands of tiny slits in the tread that offer better traction on ice. Some tires feature a multi-cell compound that removes the water that is typically found over ice, responsible for slips and accidents. This helps you retain more control over your vehicle.

It all ultimately depends on the location and your driving skills. If you are in an area that is seldom deluged with snow, all seasons tires work well. But if you are located in regions that are known to face brutal or unpredictable weather conditions, it may be wiser to switch to snow tires.

Installing Winter Tires

The best time to mount winter tires is towards the end of fall season. Winter tires need to be remounted during spring because they wear down in warm, dry weather.

Make sure you install a full set of winter tires. Changing just the front two may cause the rear wheels to skid.

Similarly, changing just the rear tires may cause the front wheels to have less traction so it’s easy to lose control of the vehicle. Change all four tires when you do.

416 Wheels and Tires, Mississauga

Based in Mississauga, 416 Wheels and Tires provides a wide range of tire styles and top of the line brands for optimum performance through all seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter. Our experts have extensive knowledge of rims and tires and are trained to provide quality customer service so you know you’re in reliable hands. Visit our store to pick the right brand of winter tires for your vehicle.

If you are new to Canada or new to driving, you may be unaware of the need to change tires with the seasons. Winter road conditions are dangerous in most parts with slush, snow, hail and ice creating slippery conditions. To navigate without losing control of the car and stay safe, it is necessary to switch to winter tires in the winter months.

While Quebec requires drivers to switch to four snow tires in the peak winter period (December 15 to March 15), there is no jurisdiction of the same rules in Ontario. However, provincial guidelines strongly recommend winter tires between the peak winter period but many new drivers are unaware of the necessity. In case of an accident with summer tires in the winter season, the insurer may refuse to reimburse the damage and hold the other party responsible instead. It is wise to switch to winter tires in the winter months. Here are a few more reasons to understand the dangers of not doing so.

Reasons to Avoid Summer Tires in the Winters

Summer Tires Lose Grip in the Cold: Simply put, summer performance tires are not designed for sub-zero temperatures. Neither are they designed to hold grip and traction through slush, snow and ice. Summer performance tires are built with tread compounds engineered to provide traction in hot temperatures. As the temperature drops, the rubber mixture hardens to an inflexible plastic. Called “glass transition” in the automobile industry, the traction performance of the tire drops considerably, then the tires lose flexibility and elasticity, turning rigid. As a result, the longer distance is required to completely stop. In warmer weather, they return to their normal state.

Hard to Stop your Car on Slippery Roads: In wet weather, it is easy to lose control and the vehicle can get damaged. In icy conditions, it’s almost impossible to stop a car mounted with summer tires. If you need to stop suddenly or make a sharp turn, summer tires can slip or spin leading to a situation that could harm the driver or the passengers. Any aggressive application on the gas pedal is a hazard when the tires lose traction.

Tread Compound Cracking: If temperatures drop below the freezing point, summer tires can risk the possibility of tread compound cracking – a permanent condition where the tires need to be replaced. Alternately, the edges of the tread blocks get chipped away. In both cases, the manufacturer’s warranty will not typically cover the situation as it falls under the improper handling of the car.

Advantages of Winter Tires in the Winter

Winter tires are designed with soft, elastic-treads that allow a smooth, stable ride even in freezing road conditions.

They use a large number of textured sheets or lamellae, increasing absorption of mud and snow and greater grip on wet roads.

Unlike summer tires, snow does not clog the narrow channels between the sheets of the tires so they are more resistant.

The metal spikes in winter tires repel water and dig into the ice and snow to increase traction on the road, quite like the sharp claws of a cat.

Best Winter Tire Brands at 416 Wheels and Tires, Mississauga

Better safe than sorry. Now with winter here, visit a reliable auto parts shop to protect your car, and more importantly your family and yourself with high-grade winter tires. Stay ahead of the curve and choose from the best winter tire brands at 416 Wheels and Tires to prepare your car for the journey ahead. Check our website for attractive deals, discounts and promo packages. Call us to know more.

Checking the air pressure in your tires is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to take care of your vehicle. It will save you money on future problems that could occur from driving with inadequate tire pressure. Decent tire tension allows for optimal fuel efficiency, safer steering, protects your rims and helps prevent your tires from bursting. Inspecting your tires isn’t difficult to do at all if you have the right tools. But if not, gas stations are well equipped to get the job done. With this simple step-by-step guide, you can check the air pressure in your tires anywhere.

Check Your Manual

If this is your first time checking the air pressure in your tires, check your manual to find out what the lowest PSI (pressure per square inch) would be for inflating your tires. Numbers will vary between vehicle types. Sedans, minivans and some small pickup trucks have a recommended PSI that ranges from 27 to 32 but can go up to 40. The larger the vehicle, the greater the PSI by four to eight PSI.

Unscrew the Valve Stem

The valve stem for each tire is located on the side of the rim that rests against the inside of the tire, near the hubcap. The stem will be either a black or silver extension about an inch long.

Grab Your Air Pressure Gauge

Press the end of the gauge onto the stem evenly. If the gauge isn’t securely attached to the stem, you’ll hear a hissing sound as air escapes your tire. The angle of your pressure gauge may need to be adjusted for an accurate reading. Depending on the type of gauge you have, for example, a digital one, you may have to push a button to get the pressure reading going. If you have a traditional pressure gauge, the stick within the meter will automatically move to give you a proper reading.

Replace the Cap

Once you’ve got a successful reading of your tires air pressure, it’s time to put the cap back on before you lose it. Many people think the stem cap prevents air from escaping. Instead, it prevents moisture and debris from getting into the valve and disrupting the mechanism within. That mechanism is what holds the air in the tire, so it’s important to protect it.

Compare your pressure gauge reading to the specifics in your manual. If they’re the same, then you can go about your day with peace of mind. However, if the reading is off, then it’s time to fill your tires with the right amount of air.

Are you in the Mississauga area and need to buy tires or rims, require seasonal tire storage, changeovers, professional tire installation or repairs? Then stop by 416 Wheels and Tires! With high-quality tire brands like Bridgestone, Continental, Firestone and more, our experienced team is here to help with whatever you need. Contact us anytime for free quotes and estimates.

It is normal for tires to wear down the more they are used. The tread becomes shallow and the performance gets worse over time. Tread can wear faster for several reasons, which means you will have to change your tires sooner. It is essential to check your tires regularly to detect malfunctions early and get the most out of your tires and vehicle.

Over-Inflated Tires

If there is too much wear in the centre of the tire, then your tires have too much air in them. Too much pressure can make the contact patch shrink and the middle of the tire to carry the whole load.

Under-Inflated Tires

Too much wear on the edges of the tire means there is not enough pressure in it. The contact patch grows when the tire is not inflated enough, and the outer edges of the patch are carrying the load.

Feathering

If by stroking your fingers along the edge of each tread bar or block, you feel scuffing or feathering then you may have an excessive positive or negative toe angle. If the inside edge of the tread bar is feathered, then that indicates an excess toe-in. A feathered outside edge of the tread bar means excess toe-out. This angle is always the last to be adjusted because the angle is affected by caster and camber angles. Changes to the caster and camber angles will alter the toe angle. Suspension height can also affect tow angle geometry.

Scalloped Tires

Bent, worn, or loose suspension parts can cause tires to become cupped or scalloped on the surface. Unbalanced tires or worn shock absorbers can also cause this issue. Infrequently rotating tires can cause excessive force to the same areas on a tire repeatedly.

Outer-Edge Tread Wear

It is rare to see this type of damage to a tire nowadays, but it can still happen. If you see this, check the setback and thrust. Positive caster, camber, and toe can lead to outer-edge wear. It should be noted that the primary cause of this type of wear in modern vehicles is over-enthusiastic cornering.

Inner-Edge Tread Wear

This type of wear is the most common damage technicians see. Negative camber and toe usually cause this issue. Loads, bushings, and springs are the three main components of inner-edge tread wear.

Bushings

Atmospheric issues like extreme temperatures deteriorate rubber bushings, which causes alignment angles to shift. On the rear lower control arms, some vehicles have hydraulic bushings, which can fail if they leak. When rear bushings fail, extra movement causes a negative camber and the wheels to toe out.

Springs

The alignment angles change when the suspension rebounds and compresses. To maximize handling and reduce tire tread wear, engineers tune the alignment angles to a specific ride height. They will usually tune the suspension to toe out if the rear suspension compresses to increase stability. Although, it can also cause the inner-edge tread to wear down. The metal springs are made from are heat-resistant, but they can still become worn down. Inspect the springs if your vehicle appears to need significant adjustments for the camber on either wheel of the same axle – including coil, leaf, and torsion bar springs.

Loads

Cargo in the back of the vehicle can cause the toe, caster, and camber in the front to change. The caster and camber will become positive in the front and, if the vehicle has an independent suspension in the back, the chamber will become negative and toe out. The outside-edge tread in the front could wear from this, and the inside-edge tread could wear in the back.

Picking the wrong tires can cause serious problems for you and your vehicle, producing a constant whining noise while driving, performing poorly in harsh weather and overall causing your vehicle to drive inadequately. The worst part is that you’re stuck with this investment for the next three to six years. When buying new tires, there are many things you need to consider before diving in.

Did You Like Your Old Tires?

If the answer is yes then congratulations, you know what your next tire purchase is going to be. Car and tire companies spend a lot of money to develop tires that allow your car to run as smoothly as possible. Tires and cars that were sold hand-in-hand are often the best pairings, as they were matched together by the company for a reason – to create the ultimate driving experience. Unfortunately, purchasing original car tires can be expensive, so try to look for close alternatives both online and through tire manufacturers.

Laggy Performance?

If your tires have recently been performing at a subpar level, think back to a time when they provided a smoother ride. Was it when they were brand new? Then it’s time to simply replace them, as the depth of the tread has most likely been worn down to the bone. If your tires have been on your vehicle for a while, have been used as a spare or were stored in a hot location for more than six years, then it’s probably time to get new ones.

Fuel Efficiency

Having a fuel-efficient vehicle is important to many consumers, and choosing the proper tires can be a major factor in determining just how efficient it can be. Not all tires are made the same, so pay attention to which tires you purchase. Tires that are different from your originals can negatively impact your fuel economy. Not all tires are made with optimal fuel efficiency in mind, and a large part of being efficient with your fuel consumption depends on having proper air pressure in your tires.

Think About the Specifics

That last thing you want is to spend a lot of money buying a new set of tires, only to realize later on as they’re being installed that they’re the wrong size or type for your vehicle. Always check your owner’s user manual to determine what specific tires you need.

Do Your Research

Once you’ve determined what kind of tires you need, it’s always best to do some research on the brands that are available for your specifications. Going into a tires store can be overwhelming, and while the employees may be helpful and patient, if you don’t know what you’re getting into you could end up with an expensive mess.

At 416 Wheels and Tires, we offer the top tire and rim brands for your needs, including Bridgestone, Continental, Firestone, Goodyear, Michelin and more. Our experienced team would be happy to help you with tire and rim sales, seasonal tire storage, seasonal changeovers, professional tire repair, installation and balancing, and rim repair and refinishing. Located in Mississauga, Ontario, contact us anytime for free quotes and estimates.